THIS WEEK IN RETROSPECT IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT

The following events took place from Monday 20th to Friday 24th January, 2025

1. We participated in the orientation exercise for the newly admitted postgraduate students of the Africa Centre of Excellence – (ACE-PUTOR). Rules and  Regulations guiding the Centre and requirements for the award of chosen degrees were introduced to the newly admitted students and we urged them to make maximum use of the enormous opportunities available to them through the programme.

2. As part of our routine engagements with departments and units in the University geared towards effective and efficient service delivery, we visited the Works and Services Department of the University to interface with all staff of the Department as a fallout of the appointment of a substantive Director, Works and Services. At the meeting all stakeholders of the Department committed to a harmonious working relationship; and we urged the Director, Engr. Nicholas Abule to run an all-inclusive administration

3. We honoured the invitation of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) to a dinner with the General Overseer, Pastor E.A. Adeboye. The event which had in attendance Daddy G.O and other eminent personalities  lit up the atmosphere with high praise and worship and soul-searching exhortation by Overseer.

4. The General Manager, Total Energies, Mr. Chinedu Madubuike visited the University Management to present computer systems to the Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Computing. The new donations will help enrich computer systems at the Department and ultimately improve practical teaching and learning. We commend the Management of Total Energy for this initiative.

5. Internal system review and regular engagement is critical for a robust and effective system. We paid an unscheduled visit to the Bursar where we participated at the Department’s regular top management meeting. The meeting affords the Bursary Unit the opportunity to access, plan and measure goals. We commended the Bursar, Dr. Godpower Obah while urging other units to initiate such top management meetings for the smooth running of their respective departments.

6. Yet again, an Alumnus beams the torch of uniqueness. Dr. Christopher Jackson a holder of Masters and Doctorate degrees from the University of Port Harcourt has been elected as the Secretary General, Nigeria Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE). We congratulate Dr. Jackson for attaining this great feat.

7. As a way of spotlighting our achievements in the significant growth of research output and industry collaborations, we honoured an interview invitation with the Newsweek, a UK-based news agency. Come 30th of January, we are scheduled to share  our modest strides in university administration.

8. Fostering international collaboration: Best Practices and Innovation in University Administration was the theme as the University of Bonn, Germany and the University of Port Harcourt hosted a two days online conference where both institutions shared practical knowledge on opportunities, prospects and challenges of an ever-evolving borderless institution of learning. We commend Prof. Chioma Daisy Onyige, a Professor with the University of Port Harcourt for facilitating the collaboration.

9. The Local Organizing Committee Chairman of the National Gallery Art Conference, Professor Emmanuel Okachi and other members of the Committee paid a courtesy visit to the University Management with respect to their forthcoming National Conference and we promised to support the Committee in ensuring  a successful hosting.

10. A cordial relationship between the university and respective host communities is crucial for the continuous survival of the University. We received the newly elected Akpor Youth Council Executives and interfaced on varying issues. We commended them for their emergence and charged them to maintain public trust conferred on them by the youths of Akpor Kingdom.

11. Also, we received the newly elected and inaugurated Port Harcourt University Medical Students Association (PUMSA). We congratulated them on their emergence and urged them to lead by example. The Association presented an Award of appreciation and honour on us for our continuous support to the Association and developmental strides in the University.

12. We received in audience the Board and  Management of the University Demonstration Primary School (UDPS) on a courtesy visit. The Board Chairman reeled out some achievements of the School. We commended the synergy between the Board and the School Management and encouraged them to continue to forge a more seamless relationship for the attainment of the founding principles of the School. The Board and Management presented an Award to us in recognition of our transformative leadership and scholarship.

13. We received representatives of Pastor William F. Kumuyi, General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Bible Church, who visited the University and offered prayers to God for the good of our Institution. We expressed our gratitude to a father in faith – Pastor W.F. Kumuyi and wish him more grace in good health.

14. Preparations are in top gear for the celebrations of the golden jubilee anniversary of the University of Port Harcourt. The university committee led by its Chairman Professor Clifford Ofurum met to fine tune arrangements for the celebrations of the unique jubilee celebrations.

15. In furtherance of our MOU with Boyales University Romania, staff of the University of Port Harcourt are billed to travel to Romania on exchange on leadership and academic programs. We thank the management of Boyales University Romania for this very unique opportunity.

16. The Chinese Envoy has extended invitation to the Vice Chancellor for further collaborative talks. We thank the Chinese Envoy for this unique opportunity to further strengthen the ties of the University of Port Harcourt and Universities in the global North.

We appreciate the roles you all played at your various designated units during the week under review.

Do have a great weekend.

Prof. Owunari A. Georgewill,
FRSB, FIIA, FWASOT, FCSI, FFs, FWASOP, FECRMI, FIARSA, FIHSC , DFCIHTMA.
Vice-Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt